Documenta 14 will take place in Athens in the hope that cultural exchange can help heal the two countries’ socio-political situation.

For over half a century now, German-based Documenta has been one of the most prestigious public art showcases in the world. Not only is it magnificent in its scale, carrying on for 100 days, and enigmatic in its infrequency, taking place only once every five years, it reinvents itself entirely at every edition. The festival has also set a precedent for addressing the relevance of art in the contemporary socio-political landscapes.

The exhibition, now in its 14th iteration, will be hosted (in part) outside of its hometown of Kassel in Germany. The idea that prompted the inauguration of the exhibition in a new—and, it would appear, mildly controversial—location was to bring an entirely new political angle to the exhibition—which is already known for being a platform for radical discourse.

Documenta’s inaugural edition, which took place in 1955 in a town that had been destroyed by Allied bombing during WWII, showcased work that had previously been banned by the Nazis, on the claim that it was “degenerate.” Every edition of Documenta since then has sought to address the social and political relevance of art and artistic culture. This year, it will be taken a step further, and brought into an entirely unique ecosystem.

Prinz Gholam will present a theatrical reenactment of gestures and poses taken from historical artwork at the ancient Agora of Athens-Odeion of Agrippa. Photo Courtesy: Angelos Giotopoulos

Athens, as the epicentre of the EU’s economic, social and political crises, serves as a radical backdrop for conversations around migration, cultural identity and political resistance. While many critics have labelled the exhibition’s shift to Athens as an act of “cultural imperialism” on the part of Germany or the “fetishisation” of crises—one might say that a deep, radically charged political discourse—as was Documenta’s intention all along—has already begun.

In Athens, Documenta will take place across over 40 venues, and will involve the work of 160 artists, many of whom will also later exhibit in Kassel. From the refugee crisis—in which Greece has seen significant upheaval—to issues surrounding transgender rights and identity, artists will bring forth radical work from around the world.

The inaugural week, which begins April 8 and will go on till April 15, will see artists from around the world come together with musical performances, installations, radio shows, food stalls, and more. Events will continue in Athens until July 16; the Kassel leg will begin on June 10 and go on until September 17.